Present Tense is a task-based performance and experiment that creates and examines tension in an enclosed space. The performer backs herself into a corner by setting several hundred mousetraps, each one adding to a growing sense of tension.

Gillian moves through the space carefully setting several hundred conventional wooden mousetraps on the floor. Her hands and feet are bare and vulnerable being close to the trap mechanisms. She continues until she is backed into a corner. She then begins the process of skilfully moving through the set traps to exit the space.

Gillian and Adam aim to create a cumulative physical tension through the spring loaded traps and observe if it equates to a growing sense of emotional tension in anyone witnessing the piece whether the repetition of a task that contains an inherent physical danger becomes more tense when performed repeatedly.

Gillian is a Glasgow based performance practitioner. Adam is a visual artist. Together, their practice seeks to explore the notion of ‘the imagined ideal’ through subjective performance, objective experimentation, documentation and observation.

This is a free event as part of GIFT: Gateshead International Festival of Theatre.
Audience members are free to come and go throughout the duration of the performance
For the full festival programme, please visit www.giftfestival.co.uk